The Acts of the Apostles October 12, 2014 Bob Eckel 1 “Acts 20:1-38 `Paul at Macedonia, Troas & Miletus” Acts 20:1-6 – Paul in Macedonia and Achaia (Greece) –After the uproar in Ephesus and embracing the disciples, Paul is on his way to Jerusalem by a circuitous route, through Macedonia (Acts 19:21).

The Acts of the Apostles October 12, 2014 Bob Eckel 2 “Acts 19:1-41`Ministry at Ephesus: Part 2” –Having likely stopped at Troas briefly (II Cor 2:12,13) he traveled to and exhorted the body of believers at Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea Paul heads and then towards Greece. What was this exhortation? His time in Greece was about 3 months. Here he likely meets Titus (II Cor 7:5-7), who delivered Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. –Also this is the place and timing of the second letter to the Corinthian church, also delivered by Titus? –And likely this is the cite for the epistle to the Romans (Rom 15:25-27). And when he was about to sail, the Jews likely threatened to kill him (see Acts 9:22-25, 29-30), and his route to Jerusalem was altered from a sea path directly to Syria to returning back through Macedonia. –He is joined by brethren: »Sopater of Berea – Rom 16:21? »Aristarchus and Secundus – Acts 19:29 »Gaius of Derbe – Acts 19:29; III John 1:1 »Timotheus – Acts 16:1-4

The Acts of the Apostles October 12, 2014 Bob Eckel 3 “Acts 20:1-38 `Paul at Macedonia, Troas & Miletus” »Tychicus – Eph 6:21,22; Col 4:7,8; II Tim 4:12 –And this group gets to Troas before Luke and Paul »It’s been now 6-7 years since they were together (Acts 16:12). Acts 20:7-12 – Paul Raises Eutychus in Troas –Notice they are meeting, breaking bread (Acts 2:46) and being preached to on the first day of the week (I Cor 16:2)! And in an upper room – significant? Preaching (continuing action) until midnight – are you awake? –And Eutychus gets sleepy and falls 3 stories to presumed death. And Paul fell on him and restored life, e.g. Elisha and the Shunammite’s son – II Kings 4: And Eutychus was brought up to the upper room. –And breaking of bread was repeated – in celebration and praise? Acts 20:13-16 – On to Miletus –First to Assos then a series of islands Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium before back on land at Miletus – now back in Asia.

The Acts of the Apostles October 12, 2014 Bob Eckel 4 “Acts 20:1-38 `Paul at Macedonia, Troas & Miletus” –With no intent of stopping Ephesus, why? Acts 16:17-35 – ‘Paul’s Farewell to Ephesus’ –Miletus is ~40 miles south of Ephesus. –At the end of v18 Paul is speaking, and this is the closest section in Acts to Paul’s writing in his epistles. Contains encouragement, warning, exhortation. Acts 20:18-21 is a review. Acts 20:22-24 – present plan. Acts 20:25-38 – future –About Paul himself – vs –To the church at Ephesus - vs –Concluding comments – vs All of these sections are introduced by Ye know or And now behold –Don’t forget what you know (eido)! –Acts 20:18-21 – the past Paul is boasting in weakness to bring about God’s glory.

The Acts of the Apostles October 12, 2014 Bob Eckel 5 “Acts 20:1-38 `Paul at Macedonia, Troas & Miletus” –Why? »Because weakness is the best way to display God’s glory and sufficiency (II Cor 1:8-10; 3:5) And Paul reminds them that he has taught them openly not keeping from them anything but repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. –And this is for their benefit; but God's glory is of primary importance. –Acts 20:22-24 – the present Paul is being led unto Jerusalem by the Holy Spirit not knowing what belies him there, but confident that His witness will prevail despite his bonds and afflictions. Verse 24 – But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. –Notice with joy (Heb 12:2) –Can we identify with Paul in his walk? –Why not?

The Acts of the Apostles October 12, 2014 Bob Eckel 6 “Acts 20:1-38 `Paul at Macedonia, Troas & Miletus” –Acts 20:25-38 – the future What does Paul mean when he states I am innocent of the blood of all men? –Remember to whom and what he is addressing. What task and warnings is Paul giving them? –The role of overseers - Phil 1:1; I Tim 3:2, 5:17; Tit 1:7, Heb 13:17 –The warning of wolves – John 10:12; I Pet 2:1; I John 2:19 And then in verse 32 Paul states ‘So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.’ Why does Paul need to deny motives of self-interest (verses 33-35)? Picture if you can the parting events of verses –There are a lot of emotions here, a problem and if not when?